Over 7,000 oppose Lincolnshire pig factory farm

Aaron McDonald
· 31 August, 2016

Animal rights group, Animal Aid, has received 7,500 signatures in support of its campaign against what it describes to be a factory farm in Upton, Lincolnshire.

West Lindsey District Council is now being asked to reject the application for the farm, which would reportedly hold nearly 2,000 animals. Plans for the farm were stopped in January following opposition from more than 4,000 people. However, the plans have been re-submitted to the council.

Animal Aid has argued that the intensive farming will cause a large number of pigs to suffer under close confinement, as well as claiming that inadequate provisions for dealing with fires have been taken into account.

“Aside from causing a great deal of animal suffering, these plans for a factory farm for pigs in Upton could have a significant impact on local quality of life,” Isobel Hutchinson, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said.

“The plans pose a risk to the environment and to the health of the local community, and could spoil the area with noise, traffic and unpleasant smells. The latest public outcry shows just how unpopular these plans are, and we urge West Lindsey District Council to take this on board.

“We believe that the best choice for animals, the environment and the local community is to reject these plans.”

According to plans from farmer Tim Elwess, the pig unit would consist of two almost identical fattening houses (each 200 foot x 51 foot) with a straw shed (100 foot x 50 foot) and a residential dwelling place on site, extending to 6.2 acres.

Upton Parish Council said that it “considers that the application had been ill-thought-through, with the minimum consideration given to the most obvious issues raised by its possible implementation. Consequently, we believe that the authorities need to ensure that the applicant fully understand the risks and the mitigations implied by this potential development.”